This Siong Leng Musical Association book is a commemorative publication for its 13th anniversary which was used to raise funds for the building of the Nanyang University in the early 1950s. Siong Leng Musical Association was founded in 1941, to promote Nanyin (a form of classical music from the southern Fuijian province, China). Since then, with the exception of the Japanese Occupation period when activities were halted, Siong Leng has organised musical performances to celebrate festivals or to support charity events, such as fund-raising for Nanyang University's Building Fund, during its 13th anniversary in 1954, as seen from this book. Between 1953 and 1956, the Chinese community, including Siong Leng, donated to realise the proposal for a Chinese University, which became the Nanyang University in 1956. Today, Siong Leng Musical Association continues to promote and preserve Nanyin through its particpation in contemporary music festivals in Singapore and abroad, and in annual performances such as Thian Hock Keng Temple. Siong Leng is also the recipient of several awards, including the Cultural Medallion award for its late musician and chairman, Teng Mah Seng (1915-1992).
